
Cork native Brother Kevin Crowley, founder of Capuchin Day Centre, dies aged 90
Originally from Enniskeane, Br Kevin founded the day centre for homeless people on Bow Street in Dublin in 1969. He retired in August 2022 and returned to his native county.
The Irish Capuchin Franciscans said Br Kevin died early on Wednesday "in the wonderful care of Mount Desert Nursing Home in Cork".
"He was known throughout the country and beyond as a Brother to the poor, particularly through his work in the Capuchin Day Centre for Homeless People which he founded on Bow Street, Dublin in 1969," said a statement.
"Through his ministry and life as a Capuchin Friar, Brother Kevin opened his heart and his hands to serve those most in need."
After founding the day centre in 1969, Br Kevin became synonymous with helping the poor of Dublin city down through the decades. It provides food and shelter to an average of 800 people every day. His last day at the centre was August 19, 2022.
In 2018, Pope Francis visited the centre where he met Br Kevin and some of the people who use the essential services there.
Pope Francis shakes hands with Br Kevin Crowley as he arrives for a visit to the Capuchin Day Centre in 2018. File picture: Maxwell Photography/PA Wire
Close friend of Br Kevin, former Lord Mayor of Dublin and councillor Christy Burke, paid tribute.
'It was a pleasure to bestow the Freedom of the City on Br Kevin in 2015. He helped thousands of people who were homeless over the years. My sincere condolences to his family and friends. His legacy will live on forever,' Mr Burke said.
'For decades, Br Kevin was a beacon of compassion and dignity for those experiencing homelessness in Dublin. He gave his life to serving others, always with kindness, humility and quiet strength. To so many, he was nothing less than a living saint.
"When I last visited him in Cork, he spoke with deep affection about the people he had served and the incredible generosity he witnessed over the past 50 years. He never sought recognition, but he inspired countless others through his example.
'Today, I mourn not only a remarkable man, but a close and cherished friend. His presence will be missed dearly, but his spirit will live on in the hearts of those he helped and those who loved him."
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The Irish Sun
a day ago
- The Irish Sun
I'm Ireland's last leprechaun whisperer – they gave me 4 gifts & wife's reaction surprised me, now I've found successor
AFTER spending decades talking to Ireland's last remaining 236 leprechauns, Kevin Woods is preparing for succession - and says he has finally ended his hunt to pass on his gifts. Kevin, who is known locally as McCoillte, says he has spent more than 30 years chatting to the tiny folks living in the Cooley Mountains in Co 4 Kevin Woods is Ireland's last leprechaun whisperer Credit: conor mccaughley1@ 4 For more than 30 years, Kevin has claimed to speak with Ireland's last 236 leprechauns 4 Kevin outside the Carlingford Leprechaun and Fairy Cavern But the Carlingford native feared that he would be Ireland's last ever leprechaun whisperer when his eldest of seven sons showed no interest in taking over the pot of gold. However, the 81-year-old is now FAIRY convinced that there is light at the end of the rainbow after finding people to whom he can pass on his four gifts. The retired salesman explained: "I have seven sons and the eldest doesn't want the gifts. He feels that he doesn't want me to go to heaven. "So I asked the leprechauns, and then they told me that I could give a test to anyone that comes down into the cavern that's doing the tour." There are currently 236 leprechauns living in a cavern which lies hidden beneath the Carlingford Folklore Park on Ghan Road, according to Kevin - who offers tours of the location. During his time as Ireland's last leprechaun whisperer, Kevin has successfully lobbied the EU to have leprechauns recognised as a protected species, which was granted in 2009 under the European Habitats Directive. He also hosted numerous hunts in aid of But in recent years he has been on the lookout for successors for his gifts when he passes, by carrying out a test on strangers who visit him. Kevin's test involves placing what he claims to be a real leprechaun hat on the head of a visitor and asking whether they can feel heat. If they do, they're in luck and they have the gift. 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In fact, there was a time when he called such claims "rubbish". The story goes that 37 years ago, PJ O'Hare, a publican and friend of Kevin, discovered "some bones and four pieces of gold in a leprechaun suit on the mountain". In an attempt to prove to his friend that the wee people didn't live there, Kevin hosted a huge leprechaun hunt. Thousands showed up on the day, many hoping to catch a glimpse of the mythical creatures, while many more were enticed by the fact that Kevin had hidden £4,000 worth of coins across the mountain. The story at the time was reported in newspapers all over the world. "I asked the leprechauns, and then they told me that I could give a test to anyone that comes down into the cavern that's doing the tour." Kevin Woods leprechaun whisper Kevin said: "I presented the usual press releases and whatever, in relation to PJ's story, that made the New York Times. I think it made the Boston Globe and the Chicago Herald, so it was big news at the time." 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According to him, for food they eat a mixture of wild berries, wild herbs, a flower called meadowsweet - found in Irish boglands - and the sap of blackthorn trees. For work many leprechauns dig for gold, some gather plants and wildflowers for food, while others prepare meals. Many are also cobblers and shoemakers. Leprechauns, like people, have names, Kevin says. Kevin explained that the current clan chieftain is called Carraig, which means Rock. There is also Tadgh, Peadar, Stevo and Dara to name a few. Leprechauns love singing and dancing, in fact it is no coincidence that many are cobblers. The need for repairing shoes, worn out after long nights of dancing has become a necessity. They hate being depicted as drunks, mainly because they never drink alcohol, They also hate the notion that they are evil as nothing could be further from the truth. Leprechauns use underground portals to travel to various parts of the world. 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Three, I can talk to leprechauns anytime I want, and the fourth one's the best one, and I can't tell you that, or I lose the other three." Kevin Woods leprechaun whisper His story has since also inspired the launch of a family entertainment brand, Carlichauns. The brand boasts "a CG-animated series, YouTube 2D shorts, immersive Alternate Reality experiences, and enchanting books". Kevin said: "So we're flying. We've raised the first lot of money that we put out there, while we were at it, we created an augmented reality app, and we did a trailer of the Carlichauns." He added: "We're adding to the story of the leprechauns, and we're building a global brand." Kevin previously blasted his critics and said: "You get every reaction. I don't mind. "If people say, 'That's a load of rubbish', I say, 'Fine, that's OK, you believe in God, have you ever seen him?'" 4 According to Kevin, the Cooley Mountains in Co Louth is where the leprechauns live Credit: Alamy


Irish Post
06-07-2025
- Irish Post
Funeral of Brother Kevin hears how he was 'fearless, relentless' in pursuit of justice for poor
THE FUNERAL of Brother Kevin Crowley has heard how he was 'fearless [and] relentless' in his pursuit of justice for the poor in Ireland. The Capuchin friar, who founded the Capuchin Day Centre in Dublin in 1969, was remembered at his funeral Mass at St Mary of the Angels church in Dublin on Saturday. After more than five decades, the centre he founded has gone from supporting 50 regular visitors to serving more than 1,000 hot breakfasts and dinners each day and was visited by Pope Francis in 2018. Br Kevin passed away in his native Cork earlier this week at the age of 90, having retired from his role with the centre just three years ago. "He was a tireless advocate for those with no voice," Brother Patrick Flynn told those gathered at the church to bid farewell to Br Kevin. People applaud as Br Kevin's funeral cortege passed by (Image: Leah Farrell / The Capuchin friar's funeral took place following a procession that passed the centre he founded, while people lining the streets applauded as the cortege passed. Irish President Michael D. Higgins was in attendance at the funeral, as was recently-elected Lord Mayor of Dublin Ray McAdam and Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald. Taoiseach Micheál Martin was represented by Commandant Joe Glennon. President Michael D. Higgins arriving for the funeral Mass (Image: Leah Farrell / Addressing those gathered, Brother Richard Hendrick welcomed both of Br Kevin's 'families' — his biological relatives as well as the staff and volunteers at the Capuchin Day Centre he founded. "While Br Kevin was the inspiration and the face, as it were, of the work of the centre, without all of you, there would be much less reason for our gathering," he said. "We thank you for all you were to Br Kevin, for all you are to us Capuchin Friars, and for all you do to keep that vision alive of a place of refuge and Franciscan welcome in the heart of the city open to all." He later quipped: "Yesterday, we heard that there would be two minutes of silence — one in Dublin and one in Cork — before the GAA matches take place. "I think it's probably Kevin's greatest, shall we say, achievement that as a Cork man he has finally silenced Dublin!" The hearse carrying the coffin of Br Kevin passes by the Capuchin Day Centre (Image: Leah Farrell / Delivering the homily, Br Patrick said Br Kevin had a simple mission in life — 'feed and house the poor'. "He couldn't understand why in our country, we couldn't solve this problem," he continued. "You see, he was the kind of man who didn't see problems, he only saw challenges." He added: "He was at one with his people, reaching out with his loving, generous, compassionate heart. Archbishop Diarmuid Martin watches as the coffin leaves the church after the funeral Mass (Image: Leah Farrell / "He was our conscience, reminding us of our obligation to support and help our sisters and brothers who are caught in the poverty trap with no way out unless we bend down to lift them up. "He was fearless, relentless in his pursuit of justice for the poor. "I've no doubt that his great spiritual father, St Francis — also known as the Poor Man of Assisi — is embracing him today for the love and compassion he extended to all throughout his religious life for God's poor. "Kevin always had a particular love and affection for the weak and vulnerable people in our country." A woman reaches her hand out to touch the coffin as it leaves the church (Image: Leah Farrell / Br Patrick concluded by sharing his own personal memories of Br Kevin. "I remember him as a brother, a friend for over 60 years," he said. "He wasn't perfect, he could be feisty and challenging when he disagreed with you but what he did have in abundance was a generous and companionate heart and that is what made the man. "Kevin, thank you for your good example you gave us Capuchins and also to the people of Ireland for inspiring us to be kinder, more thoughtful and more generous to our poor sisters and brothers who live among us." Following the service, Br Kevin was laid to rest at Dardistown Cemetery in Dublin. See More: Brother Kevin Crowley, Capuchin Day Centre, Cork, Dublin


Irish Daily Mirror
05-07-2025
- Irish Daily Mirror
Brother Kevin Crowley gave 'life's service' to the poor, funeral told
Brother Kevin Crowley had a simple mission to feed and house the poor, his funeral has been told. Brother Kevin, who died on Wednesday at the age of 90, founded the Capuchin Day Centre in Dublin in 1969 in response to seeing homeless men eating from rubbish bins. Throughout a 55-year history, he oversaw much of its development in response to the needs of homeless people. The centre offers two hot meals per day Monday to Saturday, as well as food parcels and a range of services including clothing, showering facilities, and medical interventions. It provides more than 1,000 hot breakfasts and dinners each day. Brother Kevin was said to be grateful to be awarded the Freedom of the City of Dublin in 2015 and for the visit of Pope Francis to the centre in August 2018. He retired in 2022 to Cork, where he was born and died earlier this week. His funeral took place at St Mary of the Angels on Church Street in Dublin on Saturday. President Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina Higgins were among guests in an "overflowing" church, which the service heard was receiving guests from all over the island of Ireland. Archbishop of Dublin Dermot Farrell and former primate of Ireland Diarmuid Martin attended the mass alongside Capuchin Franciscans and staff at the day centre. Also present were Commandant Joe Glennon representing Taoiseach Micheal Martin, who is concluding a trade mission in Japan, Lord Mayor of Dublin Ray McAdam, and other public representatives from the city council and Oireachtas. Leading the service as provincial minister, Brother Richard Hendrick welcomed Brother Kevin's "two families" - his natural family as well as the staff, volunteers and guests of the Day Centre. "You are all welcome here today. While Brother Kevin was the inspiration and face as it were of the work of the centre, without all of you there would be much less reason for our gathering. "We thank you for all you were to Brother Kevin, for all you are to us Capuchin Friars and for all you do to keep that vision alive of a place of refuge and Franciscan welcome in the heart of the city open to all." Brother Richard said they had been "inundated" with stories of the care and love Brother Kevin shared to others, as well as the love shared to him. He said Brother Kevin vision was that no one would go hungry and that all would fall a place of inclusive welcome and peace. Brother Richard said the day centre "will continue and grow" as long as there are guests who need its services. Recalling recent queries from visitors if the centre would stop operating, he added: "I think Kevin would haunt us all if there was even a thought of that." Brother Richard thanked all those who had gathered, as well as all those worked at the day centre. "Yesterday, we heard that there would be two minutes of silence - one in Dublin and one in Cork before the GAA matches take place. "It is probably Kevin's greatest achievement that as a Cork man he has finally silenced Dublin." In a homily, Brother Patrick Flynn said Brother Kevin gave a "life's service" to the poor. He said the proud west Cork man was a "very, very good Capuchin friar", a "man of God", a "disciple of Jesus Christ", and a "humble, devout son of St Francis of Assisi". "He was a Capuchin to his fingerprints. Most people didn't know his family name of Crowley, but they knew of 'Brother Kevin'." Brother Patrick said Brother Kevin was known the length and breadth of the country as a "tireless advocate for those with no voice", acting as the nation's conscience to remind the public of their obligation to help others out of the trap of poverty. "He was fearless, relentless in his pursuit of justice for the poor. I've no doubt that his great spiritual father St Francis is embracing him today for the love and compassion he extended throughout his religious life for God's poor." He added: "Kevin had a mission in life, it was very simple: Feed and house the poor. "He couldn't understand why in our country we couldn't solve this problem." Brother Patrick said Brother Kevin was a man who enjoyed the company of friars and friends, had a love of the GAA marked by a hurley placed beside his coffin during the service, and who had a great sense of humour demonstrated by his ability to laugh at himself. Remembering his friend for over 60 years, he concluded: "He wasn't perfect, he could be feisty and challenging when he disagreed with you. "But what he did have in abundance was a generous, compassionate heart and that is what made the man. "Kevin, thank you for your good example." The service was also read letters containing tributes from the Apostolic Nuncio of Ireland Luis Mariano Montemayor and General Councillor Brother Marek Miszczynski. Brother Kevin's burial site is at Dardistown Cemetery.